diff --git a/clore_onboarding.py b/clore_onboarding.py
index 5d42835..9575350 100644
--- a/clore_onboarding.py
+++ b/clore_onboarding.py
@@ -425,6 +425,7 @@ if args.write_linux_config:
         sys.exit(1)
 
 async def main(machine_specs):
+    global next_retry_reached_server_limit
     last_used_config = None
     ever_pending_creation = False
     machine_id = get_machine_id()